South Park, in Darlington, is a beautiful Victorian Park on the A167 road heading south from the town centre
South Park is a great place for today’s generation, after its multi-million pound Heritage Lottery Funded restoration project.
It was the first Victorian Park in the North East of England and was opened to the public in 1853 as “Belassis Park”.
Its size has increased to its present 91 acres and the superb restoration work has added new sensory, rock and rose gardens to the existing award-winning displays.
You can also enjoy a splendid lake, bandstand, new play areas, skateboard park and seasonal bistro-style café.
Educational facilities in a new, purpose-built extension to the Park Lodge welcome school groups to this wonderful example of a municipal park.
Have you spotted our Facebook Link above? Come and join us for tit bits of current happenings in the park
Open 25th March - 30th October 2016 Opening times are as follows: Monday to Friday during school holidays only:- 10am - 4pm: Sat/Sun and Bank Holidays:- 10am - 4pm Cafe website: http://www.darlington.gov.uk/southparkcafe
Park Run
Free, weekly, 5K, timed run
Every Saturday at 9am
www.parkrun.org.uk/darlingtonsouthpark/
Nordic Walking
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 – 11am. Meet at the clock tower.
Sessions cost £2.50 and booking is essential.
Call 01325 254370 or e-mail adam.walker@darlington.gov.uk
Fit Mamas
Monday and Thursday 1 – 2pm at the bandstand.
Sessions are £1
Call 01325 353791 or e-mail Natalie.Whitworth@groundwork.org.uk
The last Saturday of every month, 1 – 4pm Taster sessions
Free to adults and young people
Call 07948717162 or e-mail rosithornton@gmail.com
Rejig In the park sewing sessions
“Turn that gown upside down”
Friday 1 – 3pm
Sessions cost £5
Call 07948717162 or e-mail rosithornton@gmail.com
Our Achievements
February 2007 - Friends of South Park. Best of Darlington Award for contribution to the environment.
Friends of South Park - Silver Gilt Medal. Northumbria in Bloom 2007 and 2008. May Wooley Award for Best Voluntary Project.
September 2008 - Friends of South Park. Recognition of Achievement Award from the Mayor of Darlington.
April 2014 -Friends of South Park. Recognition of Achievement Award from the Mayor of Darlington
Green Flag Award won for eleven consecutive years up to and including 2016
2009 - When Darlington won the Scottish and Newcastle Trophy for Best Small City (with a Silver Gilt Medal), South Park formed part of that entry
2010 - South Park won a Gold Medal for the Special Award of the Ken Sherwood Trophy for Best Park (Northumbria in Bloom) when Darlington retained the Scottish and Newcastle Trophy for Best Small City, assisted by South Park's continuing high standards. (Parks can only be entered in their own right in alternate years ).
2011 - South Park assisted when Darlington won the gold medal for 'Best Small City' for the third year in Northumbria in Bloom and the Scottish and Newcastle Trophy.
2011 - South Park also assisted when, in the main 'Britain in Bloom' National competition, Darlington was awarded a silver medal in the' Best Small City' category.
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